Side sleeping - when did you start?

[Ickli]

I'm wondering when people tried to start sleeping on their sides in pregnancy.

The NHS website mentions 28 weeks as the time from which research suggests back sleeping can increase risk of still birth. I asked my midwife and she recommended earlier - between 20 and 24w.

I'm currently 18w and thought I'd try to get used to side sleeping (normally sleep 75% on my back, 25% on right side). But I'm really struggling to sleep well on my side (despite pregnancy pillow). I'm aware at some point the weight of bump will make back sleeping uncomfortable.

I’m 22+1 and I’ve been trying for the last few weeks just to get used to it! I have to wedge my pregnancy pillow as otherwise I always end up on my back! (Still do sometimes if the pillow falls out of bed!) x

From 16 weeks as that’s what I was told with my first although that was 9 years ago. I didn’t realise it had changed

Oh maybe I over-read on the internet.... 🙈 I’ve been doing it since 12 weeks although if I do turn on my back I’m not getting worried. Found I need a thinner pillow for my head and a medium between my thighs and it seems to keep me comfortable. Do you get those days where you’ve been on your feet more and then your hips are sore? When I get those I find it harder to side sleep so add a firm pillow behind me and it really helps, my version of a pregnancy pillow 😂

I’m 25 weeks and have been trying to make a bit more of an effort to stay on my left side for the last 2-3 weeks (got a body pillow to support me lying on side). I tend to lie on back or other side for a bit when I first get into bed so that then I can get settled on my left when I know I’m about to fall asleep. I had a midwife appointment on Wednesday and the midwife said that left is preferable but really either side is preferable to back but if you wake up on your back, don’t worry just turn over onto side. I brought it up and asked her about it, she didn’t mentioned it first.

When it got uncomfortable to sleep in any other position.

I'm 25 weeks and have been trying my best to sleep on side for the last few weeks. All was going fine til had ended up with an abscess in my groin area this week which needed drained and is now being packed daily 😫so this made it impossible to sleep on side for the first couple of days but it's getting easier again! Love my pregnancy pillow!

Although meant to say my hips are agony with the side sleeping 😧

I had no idea this was a thing.

I'm a side sleeper anyway but with SPD i couldn't always get comfy so just slept in whatever position let me rest for a few hours. Midwife not physio ever mentioned anything - mine are 7 and 14 though!

I'm 17 weeks and I avoid going on my back now. Just because I don't sleep very well on my back and I do feel a pressure when lying down so I've started to go on my side for the last week or so x

Thanks all. Sounds like a mix. I might treat myself to a few more nights on my back before committing post 20w.

I started side sleeping as soon as I found out I was pregnant! Not necessary at that stage but I was such a back sleeper that I knew I would need a bit of time to get into the habit becuase I wouldn't be able to just do it out of the blue further down the line! I'm now 33 weeks and every position is uncomfortable no matter how many pillows I have!

There’s actually good research to suggest it doesn’t make much difference before 28 weeks - and equally there’s good research the does suggest increased stillbirth risk after 28 weeks. To do with the weight of the pregnant uterus pressing on the big blood vessels. So I’d say up until 28 weeks just do what’s comfy for you - you might need to be on your side soon for your own comfort anyway! Pillow between the knees makes it much more comfy too.

I've always slept on my side so it was no different for me when I was pregnant. I find it difficult to sleep on my back.

It's years since I was pregnant but I remember I used to sleep on my front until it wasn't comfortable then changed to sleeping on my left side. I've never been able to sleep on my back. I used to wedge a pillow under the bump.

From 19 weeks until childbirth.